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Biden calls Ukraine leader, urges halt to violence - 0 Comments

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden has urged Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (yah-noo-KOH'-vich) to defuse escalating tensions in Kiev, where protesters and riot police squared off in the biggest of three weeks of demonstrations.

Both men spoke by phone Monday. The White House said Biden underscored the need to begin talks with opposition leaders.

The protests began after Yanukovych backed away from signing an agreement to deepen ties with the 28-nation European Union.